M’sian Actress Made To Present Award To Ex-Husband’s Alleged Other Woman; M’sian Broadcaster Criticised

Was it a coincidence or calculated drama?

Malaysian actress Bella Astillah found herself in an awkward situation at the 2025 Melodi Hottest Awards on August 3 when she had to present an award to fellow actress Sophia Albarakbah, the woman once rumoured to have had a fling with her now ex-husband, Malaysia-based Singapore actor Aliff Aziz.

Bella was presenting the award for Hottest Female Celebrity alongside her boyfriend, politician Syed Saddiq.

When she opened the envelope and saw the winner’s name, she paused.

“I know this one… I know her very well. Sophia,” she said, looking visibly uncomfortable.

Without making eye contact, she quickly handed the trophy and bouquet to Sophia before stepping back.

The tension? Unmistakable.

Netizens were not impressed with how the show played out, accusing Malaysian broadcaster TV3 and Melodi of deliberately setting up the encounter to stir drama and boost ratings.

 "Just looking for cheap publicity. Shame on you,” rebuked one netizen.

“Who made Bella announce Sophia’s part? Are they ignorant or just deliberately cruel?” another asked. “This is outrageous.”

When Sophia was asked about tense exchange after the event, she said she did not feel like she was being mocked.

“Maybe it’s just [Bella’s] way of saying it because she does know me. It’s her delivery, that’s all,” Sophia told the New Straits Times. “I’m okay. We’re in the same industry, so we’ll cross paths inevitably.”

Meanwhile, Bella left immediately after the ceremony, fuelling speculation that there’s still bad blood between the two.

In early 2023, Sophia was accused of being the third party in Bella’s marriage with Aliff Aziz.

The pair had starred in the drama Ku Akad Kau Dengan Bismillah that same year.

Bella and Aliff, who share two kids, first divorced in 2019, but reconciled in 2020. Their second split came in June 2024, after Aliff was caught commiting khalwat (close proximity) with Malaysian actress Ruhainies.